Battle to contain raging mountain fires
SIX teams from Western Cape Working on Fire joined the battle to contain and extinguish the Boesmanskloof fire that has burnt in three municipalities over the past week.
Working on Fire spokesperson Limakatso Khalianyane said the teams had been dispatched to assist the Cape Winelands District Municipality, the Overberg District Municipality, Cape Nature, and the City Of Cape Town in fighting the Boesmanskloof fire.
“On Saturday, the Kleinmond, Walker Bay and Helderberg teams were requested to assist, as the fire continued to burn. Other areas were hotspots due to hot windy weather conditions.
“The Kleinmond and Walker Bay teams worked near the Berg River Dam, deemed a hotspot, as flammable liquids are used to pump water. The team extinguished smoky areas and ashes that posed flare-up threats. The area was a serious hotspot surrounded luxury properties, schools, and farms.”
Meanwhile, Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Minister Anton Bredell has advised Jonkershoek Valley residents, particularly the elderly, frail, and those with comorbidities such as asthma, and young children, to consider leaving the area until the conditions improved.“The conditions remain very difficult with a small chance of improvement over the next two days. The total area burnt, including the Overberg side, is 8 250 hectares. Extra resources have been deployed – firefighters on the ground now total 236 with 22 firefighting vehicles and four fire-bombing helicopters. Authorities will immediately inform the public if they need to be evacuated; currently it’s not necessary.”